Final answer:
Howard Becker's book discussing labeling theory is "Outsiders: Studies in the Sociology of Deviance." This theory, particularly relevant in education, illustrates how labels can influence students' self-perceptions and behaviors.
Step-by-step explanation:
Howard Becker is renowned for his work on labeling theory, a concept critical to understanding social stigma and the self-fulfilling prophecy that can occur in educational settings. While labeling theory is not the title of a singular book by Becker, his seminal work, "Outsiders: Studies in the Sociology of Deviance," discusses this theory in depth. Labeling theory is especially relevant in education, where it suggests that labels given to students, such as 'low achiever,' can influence their self-image and behavior, often leading to a realization of that label.
Labeling theory can have substantial effects on a student's life, creating barriers or expectations that align with the assigned labels from authoritative figures, such as teachers, or dominant groups in school. This approach to social interaction, known as symbolic interactionism, posits that these labels can be difficult to discard once applied. Influential sociologists like Erving Goffman and Robert Merton have explored similar themes in their works, underscoring the pervasive power of social labels in various contexts.